KitKat begins rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, starting with Poland

Samsung updates the Snapdragon 800 version first, which bodes well for the US.

Another day, another device getting KitKat. This time, though, one of the big flagships from Samsung is finally joining the party: the Galaxy Note 3. Sammobile was the first to spot the update, which is currently only available in Samsung's Kies update software, and oddly only in Poland to start out.

The update is specifically for the SM-N9005, the unlocked Snapdragon version. The Note 3 runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 in the US and Samsung's Exynos processor internationally. This build's closeness to the US carrier version means the carriers should have a finished build soon, and they can start their network testing process. Samsung has managed to pump out a 4.4 update just two-and-a-half months after launch.

This build was actually leaked over the weekend, so we're well aware of what's in it. Besides the usual performance improvements and KitKat underpinnings, the biggest visual change is the move from Samsung's green and white status bar icons to all-white status icons. White icons are technically a new 4.4 requirement (PDF; see section 3.8.6) that Google has placed on OEMs due to KitKat's transparent status bar, though Google has never consistently enforced Android's compatibility requirements in the past.

Google recently updated its platform version stats, which has 1.4 percent of Play Store visitors running KitKat. That not a huge percentage, but right now it's really only Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. Once more mainstream devices like the Note 3 get updated, that 1.4 percent should jump up to a whopping 5-7 percent pretty quickly. A 4.4 update for the Galaxy S4 shouldn't be too far behind—a working KitKat build for the S4 leaked a few days ago as well. It's all up to the carriers now.

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Ron Amadeo
Ron is the Reviews Editor at Ars Technica, where he specializes in Android OS and Google products. He is always on the hunt for a new gadget and loves to rip things apart to see how they work. Emailron.amadeo@arstechnica.com//Twitter@RonAmadeo

Samsung has managed to pump out a 4.4 update just two-and-a-half months after launch.

The fact that this is noteworthy is almost upsetting.

It's definitely unfortunate and I don't miss those days before I started getting Nexus devices.

Still, I can just imagine if users were dependent on Dell or HP to provide Windows updates after they were approved by Comcast or Time Warner before you were permitted to use your computer on their networks.

As I understand it, until such time as mobile platforms become powerful enough to handle modular drivers (like desktop OSes), we'll always run the risk that you can't install OS updates until the OEM bakes hardware support into them.

Still, I can just imagine if users were dependent on Dell or HP to provide Windows updates after they were approved by Comcast or Time Warner before you were permitted to use your computer on their networks.

This is showing up in PCs as well. Not that you're actually blocked from getting the update, but that the PC OEM may not have updated drivers yet for the new Windows version, so things go to hell if you update. This happened with some machines with the Win8.0-->Win8.1 update. Ironically, from what I've seen on some laptop forums, Samsung laptops had some of the worst driver issues with the 8.1 update. (thankfully, I didn't have any issues with either of my Sony VAIOs).

Still, I can just imagine if users were dependent on Dell or HP to provide Windows updates after they were approved by Comcast or Time Warner before you were permitted to use your computer on their networks.

This is showing up in PCs as well. Not that you're actually blocked from getting the update, but that the PC OEM may not have updated drivers yet for the new Windows version, so things go to hell if you update. This happened with some machines with the Win8.0-->Win8.1 update. Ironically, from what I've seen on some laptop forums, Samsung laptops had some of the worst driver issues with the 8.1 update. (thankfully, I didn't have any issues with either of my Sony VAIOs).

That's fine by me (Obviously not ideal, but hey, technical issues happen) I think the point of the comment was about how ridiculous it is that carriers have to sign off on each software update. Is wireless network really so different that an OS update can break connectivity? Why isn't there a standard, or set of standards like there is for wired internet?

That's fine by me (Obviously not ideal, but hey, technical issues happen) I think the point of the comment was about how ridiculous it is that carriers have to sign off on each software update. Is wireless network really so different that an OS update can break connectivity? Why isn't there a standard, or set of standards like there is for wired internet?

I'm pretty sure money is the root of why they need to sign off on it. Be it limiting the number of support calls or having a rogue process that is too chatty on the network.

But also they need to crapify the ROM with their crapware (At least the major updates like Kit Kat.), and testing that to make sure it doesn't break something. That takes time.

And this is why I'll probably go Samsung for my next phone. I generally like other phones more, but I'm tired of the absolutely terrible support from basically all other OEMs.

Why wouldn't you get a Nexus phone? Similar specs and build quality compared to other high end devices, and the software comes immediately.

These are all probably very user dependent, and I'm definitely not trying to say that one is better then the other for everyone, but:

1) I hate software keys. I have used both a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7 and they are just the bane of my existence. Maybe once apps actually properly implement immersive mode it will be better, but when I go in landscape mode I don't think I've ever once wished there were buttons to accidently click on the bottom of the screen. And I'm not going to get a phone that irritates me NOW just in case devs actually get their crap together and fix it some day in the future (I know, I jest).

2) Camera seems to be inferior. Most accounts are that the camera is slower and takes worse pictures. Honestly, a better camera is the largest reason I want to upgrade from my current phone, because since having a kid pictures are a pretty important part of my life.

3) I don't like stock Android. I think it looks like shit. I personally prefer Sense to TouchWiz, but I still like TouchWiz more then stock.

4) I want a IR remote control. I'm betting on the S5 having one still though, or this won't apply.

5) Galaxy line refreshes around when my contract is up, so it would be cheaper to upgrade then to buy a Nexus 5 outright.

6) Maybe the S5 will have front facing speakers? This is less of a Nexus 5 vs S4 point and more of a I want this in my next phone but the Nexus 5 doesn't have it point.

Most of this is subjective, and everyone has a different list of what is the most important to them in any phone. This is just my list of what is still wrong with the Nexus 5 and better in a current gen phone, let alone what might be better in the next gen phone once I can upgrade.

And this is why I'll probably go Samsung for my next phone. I generally like other phones more, but I'm tired of the absolutely terrible support from basically all other OEMs.

Why wouldn't you get a Nexus phone? Similar specs and build quality compared to other high end devices, and the software comes immediately.

These are all probably very user dependent, and I'm definitely not trying to say that one is better then the other for everyone, but:

1) I hate software keys. I have used both a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7 and they are just the bane of my existence. Maybe once apps actually properly implement immersive mode it will be better, but when I go in landscape mode I don't think I've ever once wished there were buttons to accidently click on the bottom of the screen. And I'm not going to get a phone that irritates me NOW just in case devs actually get their crap together and fix it some day in the future (I know, I jest).

2) Camera seems to be inferior. Most accounts are that the camera is slower and takes worse pictures. Honestly, a better camera is the largest reason I want to upgrade from my current phone, because since having a kid pictures are a pretty important part of my life.

3) I don't like stock Android. I think it looks like shit. I personally prefer Sense to TouchWiz, but I still like TouchWiz more then stock.

4) I want a IR remote control. I'm betting on the S5 having one still though, or this won't apply.

5) Galaxy line refreshes around when my contract is up, so it would be cheaper to upgrade then to buy a Nexus 5 outright.

6) Maybe the S5 will have front facing speakers? This is less of a Nexus 5 vs S4 point and more of a I want this in my next phone but the Nexus 5 doesn't have it point.

Most of this is subjective, and everyone has a different list of what is the most important to them in any phone. This is just my list of what is still wrong with the Nexus 5 and better in a current gen phone, let alone what might be better in the next gen phone once I can upgrade.

1. Phones don't rotate the software keys in landscape. They remain in the same side bar location if not in immersive mode. It means they are in the same place capacitive keys are, which can be just the same kind of pain. At least with immersive mode now they will go away properly on a softkey phone.

2. Camera on the N5 after the update is great. Really. Way better than my Galaxy S3 camera was, and in my experience better than my other half's Galaxy S4. If you're not using HDR+ it's pretty snappy.

3. Can't help you there. I think GEL is way, way nicer looking on my N5 than touchwiz on my GS3, and the system menus and stuff you can't fix with things like Nova Launcher are way better on stock. Except I do like that samsung has a quick toggle for rotation lock, and the quick keys are always 'toggle' on press and 'settings' on hold, unlike Stock. Touchwiz is nice for the extra software support for larger sized screens though.

4. Valid, definitely valid.

5. Definitely understandable, unless you get a discount on your plan for buying off contract.

This is a major reason to avoid StraightTalk. They explicitly state in your contract that your phone will NEVER get an update, and if you root it and update it yourself, you can expect your contract to be cancelled.

1) I hate software keys. I have used both a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 7 and they are just the bane of my existence. Maybe once apps actually properly implement immersive mode it will be better, but when I go in landscape mode I don't think I've ever once wished there were buttons to accidently click on the bottom of the screen. And I'm not going to get a phone that irritates me NOW just in case devs actually get their crap together and fix it some day in the future (I know, I jest).

1. Phones don't rotate the software keys in landscape. They remain in the same side bar location if not in immersive mode. It means they are in the same place capacitive keys are, which can be just the same kind of pain. At least with immersive mode now they will go away properly on a softkey phone.

I can tolerate physical buttons, but I really hate how Samsung gives you a menu button. That breaks UX design.

I can tolerate physical buttons, but I really hate how Samsung gives you a menu button. That breaks UX design.

The Samsung tablets shown at CES ditch the menu button and put a capacitive multitasking button in its place, while keeping the physical home buttons and the capacitive "back" button (on the right) layout. That to me seems to be a huge step forward.